The following fees and charges are hereby established for connections to and the use of the water system and the receipt of water therefrom:
(A) A connection fee is hereby established for all new connections to the water system after the effective date of this section, which shall be the total of the following amounts, which must be paid to the city before the connection will be installed:
(1) $750 for each 5/8" or 3/4" meter required for the connection.
(2) $1,050 for each 1" meter required for the connection.
(3) $150 for each pressure regulator determined by the city to be reasonably necessary for the connection.
(4) 110% of the total cost of the city for each connection in excess of 1", including, without limitation, the meter and all labor, materials, equipment and fuel necessary for the connection.
(B) A monthly usage fee is hereby established, at the following rates, for the amount of water provided by the water system through each connection:
MONTHLY AMOUNT OF WATER PROVIDED | WITHIN THE CITY | OUTSIDE THE CITY |
MONTHLY AMOUNT OF WATER PROVIDED | WITHIN THE CITY | OUTSIDE THE CITY |
5/8" BY 3/4" METERS | ||
First 2,000 gallons | $12.95 minimum (without exception | $13.50 minimum (without exception) |
Next 3,000 gallons | $4.66 per 1,000 gallons | $4.86 per 1,000 gallons |
Next 5,000 gallons | $3.37 per 1,000 gallons | $3.51 per 1,000 gallons |
Next 15,000 gallons | $2.77 per 1,000 gallons | $2.90 per 1,000 gallons |
Over 25,000 gallons | $2.29 per 1,000 gallons | $2.39 per 1,000 gallons |
1" METER | ||
First 5,000 gallons | $25.91 minimum (without exception) | $26.99 minimum (without exception) |
Next 5,000 gallons | $3.37 per 1,000 gallons | $3.51 per 1,000 gallons |
Next 15,000 gallons | $2.77 per 1,000 gallons | $2.90 per 1,000 gallons |
Over 25,000 gallons | $2.29 per 1,000 gallons | $2.39 per 1,000 gallons |
1-1/2" METER | ||
First 10,000 gallons | $42.55 minimum (without exception) | $44.32 minimum (without exception) |
Next 15,000 gallons | $2.77 per 1,000 gallons | $2.90 per 1,000 gallons |
Over 25,000 gallons | $2.29 per 1,000 gallons | $2.39 per 1,000 gallons |
ALL METERS OVER 1-1/2" | ||
First 50,000 gallons | $138.43 minimum (without exception) | $144.78 minimum (without exception) |
Over 50,000 gallons | $2.29 per 1,000 gallons | $2.39 per 1,000 gallons |
(C) The monthly usage fees hereby established shall be computed according to the number of gallons of water flowing through each connection to the water system each month, according to the water meter therefore. In the event that correct information isn't obtained by the city from a water meter for any monthly period, regardless of the reason therefor, the meter information for that monthly period shall be the weighted average of the information for that meter during the generally corresponding monthly periods for the previous two calendar years. If only one history period for the month is available it will be used as the estimate. If a history period for the month is not available the computer will use the most recent history period. If there is no history available the operator must key in an estimate.
(D) A monthly fire hydrant protection fee is hereby established in the amount of $1 for each connection to the system, in addition to the monthly usage fees hereinbefore established, for the availability of a supply of water at no additional charge from fire hydrants in the system, for the extinguishment of uncontrolled fires on any parcel of real estate serviced by the water system.
(E) Services charges for the maintenance and repair of connections to the water system are hereby established at the following rates:
(1) $30 per hour, with a minimum of $30 during the period after 7:30 a.m. and before 3:30 p.m. on any day that isn't a Saturday, Sunday or a city holiday.
(2) $50 per hour, with a minimum of $50 during any other time which isn't on a city holiday.
(3) $100 per hour, with a minimum of $100, during any time on any city holiday.
(F) A fee of $30 is hereby established for each time the supply of water to a connection to the water system is either turned on or turned off by the city, for any violation of this section or any ordinance of the city, or pursuant to KRS 220.510, which shall be due and payable before the supply of water thereto is turned back on.
(G) A reinstallation fee of $50 is hereby established for the reinstallation or remediation of any water meter that has been the subject of any tampering or any other unauthorized adjustments.
(H) A returned check fee of $13 is hereby established for each check returned to the city without payment thereof.
(I) Nobody other than officers, agents, employees and volunteers of the city, acting within the authority thereof, shall conspire, cause, permit, promote, allow, aid, assist, encourage or engage in the receipt or use of any water directly from a fire hydrant of the water system, except for the extinguishment of uncontrolled fires, without:
(1) Renting a water meter from the city, for a specific number of days at the non-refundable rate of $25 per day, payable in advance;
(2) Using the rented water meter to measure the amount of water obtained from the water system through the fire hydrant thereof; and then returning the rented water meter to the city, at the end of the period for which it was rented; and simultaneously therewith, paying the city for the water obtained at the rate of the city for water meters in excess of two inches; and
(3) Depositing the separate sum of $500 with the city simultaneously with the water meter rental, to secure both: (1) the return of the rented meter to the city, at the end of the period for which it was rented, and in the same condition that it was in when it was rented; and (2) the payment of the aforedescribed fee of the city for the water obtained through the fire hydrant. Upon the return of the rented water meter to the city at the end of the period for which it was rented, and the simultaneous payment of the fees of the city for the water obtained through the fire hydrant, the $500 security deposit shall be returned or refunded by the city to the person who paid it; but otherwise, the $500 security deposit shall be forfeited to the city, in addition to any other penalties provided for the violation of this section.
(J) No water or services shall be provided by the water system through any connection thereto, unless the owner(s) of the parcel of real estate serviced thereby have, at least five business days prior to the effective date thereof, provided the city with their written agreement, on a form provided by the city to pay all usage fees, taxes, penalties, interest and collection costs incurred therefor while they are the owners of that parcel of real estate, with the monthly usage fees and the taxes thereon for any calendar month in which there is a change in the ownership of that parcel of real estate pro-rated between the new and old owners, on a daily average basis, for the period of the month before and after the date of the transfer of ownership. The agreement of the owner(s) may be terminated only through a written notice thereof, effective no sooner than two business days after the receipt thereof by the city.
(K) Water system bills.
(1) Issuance to owners of real estate: At the end of every calendar month, or shortly thereafter, the city shall issue a bill to the owners of each parcel of real estate serviced by the water system, for all unpaid water system fees related to that parcel of real estate, and the taxes thereon, which shall be immediately due and payable, and which shall become delinquent on the next following the 15th day of the calendar month, unless payment thereof is received by the water system prior thereto; and, thereafter, such fees shall be subject to a penalty of 15% thereof, plus collection costs, including, without limitation, court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
(2) Alternate addresses and recipients: Upon the receipt of a written authorization therefor from the owners of a parcel of real estate serviced by the water system, the city shall cause the bills for the water system fees related to that parcel of real estate to be issued to any other person or address identified by the owners, but the owners thereof shall not be released thereby from their obligation for the payment thereof.
(3) Accommodation mailing: As an accommodation only, the water system may attempt to cause water system bills to be delivered to the addressee thereof through the U. S. Postal Service; but the water system shall have no responsibility for such delivery; and any failure therein shall not relieve the owner(s) of the real estate from their responsibility and obligation for the payment thereof.
(L) Termination of water service for non-payment of fees or other violations of this section. The supply of water through a meter for which any bill has become delinquent and remains unpaid, or which is any way related to any violation of this section, or through which water is provided to any parcel of real estate upon which any violation of any provision of this section has occurred during the previous 12 months, shall be discontinued and turned off by the water system; but only after a written notice thereof has been mailed to the addressee of the water system bills therefor, more than ten days prior thereto, with a description of the procedure by which the delinquency or violation may be disputed; provided, however, that in the event that a written notice that the delinquency or violation is disputed has been received by the water system before the water is turned off, the water shall not be turned off until the delinquency or violation is determined to exist, through an administrative hearing conducted by the City Administrative Officer, which conforms to all of the constitutional requirements of due process therefore.
(M) Nobody other than officers, agents, employees and volunteers of the city, acting within the authority thereof, shall conspire, cause, permit, promote, allow, aid, assist, encourage or engage in either:
(1) The receipt, possession or use of any water from the water system, otherwise than through a meter for which the city has a written agreement to pay the city fees and charges therefor, at the rates and times established by the city; or
(2) Any tampering with or other adjustments to any water meter or other equipment of the water system.
(Ord. 166(10-25-00), passed 10-25-00; Am. Ord. 201(8-13-03), passed 8-13-03; Am. Ord. 204(10-8-03), passed 10-8-03)